Cumberland, ME – First Tracks Cumberland’s track crew cleared the nearly half-foot of fresh snow that had fallen on Sunday (March 22), forcing the postponement of that card to Monday afternoon (March 23). Nonetheless, the track men and the horsemen and women were poised and ready for the second day of action in the state of Maine, which did not disappoint.
The $6,200 featured conditioned pace was captured by Arts Flight and driver Andy Harrington after following the ambitious, pacesetting favorite Rau Ru (driven by Kevin Switzer Jr.) through sharp fractions and enjoying a perfect pocket trip.
Both Switzer and Harrington left for position, with Rau Ru leading to the opening panel in :29.4 over a track rated “muddy.” With the 1-5 favorite firmly in command, Switzer backed off the pace a little and hit the half in 1:01, with Arts Flight tracking along closely in the garden spot. McGwire Sowers popped Vel Larry from fifth to start the outer flow, which brought Varney (Aaron Hall) out from pegs to draft that cover.
Down the backstretch the final time, the advancers were closing ground while the leader hit the third stanza in 1:31.1, and Switzer urged his charge around the final turn with Arts Flight breathing down his neck.
Down the lane, pacesetter Rau Ru drifted out which allowed Arts Flight to skim the cones and advance in deep stretch. Vel Larry was also gaining ground on the outside, along with a late-closing Varney.
The top pace of the day made for some thrilling final steps as the four horses were heads apart at the wire, with Arts Flight prevailing by a quarter length in 2:02.2.
Trained by Sara Harrington for owner Mac Stables, the 5-year-old son of Artistic Fella was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe. He returned $16 while winning for the 11th time in his career.
Rau Ru finished second; Vel Larry was third.
The swiftest race of the day occurred immediately thereafter when local fan favorite Alex Having Fun went on an 8-1/4-length romp to take the $5,400 conditioned pace in 2:00.4. Sent off at a dime on the dollar, the heavy favorite was rushed to the front by driver Aaron Hall and never looked back.
Owned and trained by Kimberly Vafiades, the 9-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven is the current all-age track record holder (1:53, Drew Campbell, Aug. 2, 2025) and recorded his 41st lifetime victory on his favorite piece of real estate.
Last year’s leading driver was back in full force on the 12-race card, winning five races for three different trainers. Kevin Switzer Jr. took the opener with Soho Leviathan A (2:03.2, $5.40); the third with Undeniablebluechip (2:07, $8.60), and the seventh with Plus One (2:03.1; $24.40), all for trainer Bob Marston.
Switzer also scored with Bare Bone (2:04, $10.40) and Sheriff N (2:02.4, $3.20).
The “Greatest Side Show in Harness Racing” was back in full swing with the $4,200 Maine Amateur Driving Club series going postward during mid-card.
Perennial tough guy Todd Whitney made his wire-to-wire rout look easy with Duncans Ranger in 2:04.3. The Michelle Lefebvre-trained 2-5 favorite paid $2.80 from the pylon position. Derek Howes kept him honest with a three-wide backside bid while driving Quan Blue Chip and got up for a close second.
Drivers Aaron Hall and Nick Graffam each grabbed a pair of victories.
Racing resumes on Saturday (March 28). First Tracks Cumberland’s spring/summer meet will continue throughout the spring season with regular racing on Saturday and Sunday each weekend through the month of April. During the month of May, the track transitions to a Friday-Saturday schedule for those five weeks, after which the calendar reverts back to Saturday-Sunday for the month of June.
First post is slated for 12:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 2.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting the First Tracks Cumberland website.